Content

• Steps
• Part 1 of 3: Selecting Leaves
• Part 2 of 3: Cooking with Kaffir Lime Leaves
• Part 3 of 3: Other Uses for Kaffir Lime Leaves
• Tips
• Warnings
• What do you need

Kaffir lime leaves are harvested from kaffir lime trees native to Indonesia. The leaves are very aromatic, therefore they are actively used in Asian cuisines - Thai, Indonesian, Cambodian and Lao. Kaffir lime leaves are easily recognizable by their emerald green color and bivalve blades, which create the illusion that it is not one, but two leaves fused together. After reading this article, you will learn how you can use kaffir lime leaves.

Steps

Part 1 of 3: Selecting Leaves

1. 1 If you live in a Mediterranean climate, then you can easily grow your own kaffir lime tree. If not, you can buy fresh or dried leaves and limes from an Asian grocery or specialty grocery store.
2. 2 Learn about the ins and outs of using kaffir lime leaves for cooking. The leaves, depending on the recipe, can be used either raw or dried:
   • The leaves are used whole in soups and sauces, but can be chopped and added to, for example, fish cakes and other similar dishes. Leaves are rarely eaten - except when they are crushed - for example, they can be tasted in tod man fish meatballs.
   • Delicate fresh young leaves are used mainly for salads, do not try to add dried leaves to salads.
   • The stem and veins in old leaves can be bitter, so if you are afraid that bitterness will ruin your dish, do not use these parts during cooking, including during boiling and stewing.

Part 2 of 3: Cooking with Kaffir Lime Leaves

1. 1 Use kaffir lime leaves to prepare your favorite Asian dishes. Due to its amazing aroma, the leaves can be used in stews, fried dishes, curries, salads and various fish cakes. Here are some examples of use:
   • Thai curries and soups such as tom yum soup
   • Indonesian Curry Pastes
   • Thai fish cakes such as Tod Moon or fish stews such as Hau Moak
   • Asian Garni Bouquet - Includes kaffir lime leaves, lemongrass and ginger.
   • Krueng paste
   • Rice - add a few kaffir lime leaves while cooking the rice and the rice will absorb the flavor of the leaves
   • Add marinade and season with chicken, pork and lamb
   • Make a syrup - put a few kaffir lime leaves in sugar overnight, and the next morning, make a syrup from this sugar
   • Use kaffir lime leaves to make hot and sour shrimp soups. Dry the leaves in the sun for even more flavor. Toss a few leaves into the soup one minute before you stop cooking.

Part 3 of 3: Other Uses for Kaffir Lime Leaves

1. 1 Throw a few fresh kaffir lime leaves into the hot tub for a delicious scent that water will take on and fill the entire bathroom.
2. 2 Use kaffir lime leaves as a natural air freshener - for example, you can hang a few leaves in a gazebo or outdoor veranda.
3. 3 Rub a leaf of kaffir lime on your hands and body for a delicious scent on your skin. Before rubbing your body, do the test on a small area of ​​your skin.

Tips

• Kaffir lime leaves are also known as makroot.
• If you can't find kaffir lime leaves in the store, try ordering them online.
• Kaffir lime leaves can be replaced with lime leaves or fresh lime.
• Many chefs recommend beating the dried leaves lightly before using.
• Leaves can be stored in the freezer for as long as you need. Place the fresh leaves in a bag and the bag in the freezer. Another option for storing kaffir lime leaves is dried.
• Recently, kaffir lime leaves are increasingly used in Cajun cuisine.
• The leaves can be ordered directly from Thailand.

Warnings

• In Thai, kaffir lime sounds like "makroot", and the latter name is more politically correct, since the word "kaffir" in Arabic means "unbeliever" and can be taken as an insult.

What do you need

• Kaffir lime leaves, fresh or dried
• Recipe Requiring Kaffir Lime Leaves
• Knife and cutting board
• Bath water